He laughs it off, but I don’t miss the flex he does. His phone dings a few times in succession. “Shit. I need to go, but quickly. Are you sure you’re okay? I’m sorry. I should have thought about it earlier.”
“Yes. Albeit thoughtful, it’s unnecessary. You need to go.”
He blows out a ragged breath. “I know. I know. You have her doctor’s number and all the brothers in your phone. Obviously, it goes without saying, you only call Seb if literally no one else in this whole city doesn’t pick up.”
“Harrison. Goodbye.” I push him out the door, but before I can close it, he turns back, and his eyes hold mine.
Just a short time ago, this moment would have gone much differently.
The familiarity of it has a knot twisting in my stomach, and at the same time, warmth grows below at the numerous memories of me up against the wall as I attempted to leave for work. Harrison would have never let me leave without a proper goodbye.
Now, though, we stand silently as lingering unspoken feelings pass between us. Both of us are in limbo, unsure how we proceed, and I know if I were to look in the mirror, my face would be full of insecurities.
Harrison steps forward and cups my cheek. “Will you call me tonight?”
“I told you. FaceTime us when you are done with your meetings.”
“No.” He leans down, lightly pressing our lips together. “I want to talk to my Jules later when Claud’s asleep.”
My Jules.
“Okay,” I mutter as he presses forward to deepen the kiss.
I still. Shaking my head while he frowns in question.
“What are you doing?” he growls. “I want a kiss goodbye.”
“Claud—”
“Is eating breakfast, and the sooner you give me those lips, the sooner I can leave.”
He sinks his fingers through my hair, moving my head to the side, and runs his tongue along the length of my neck.
God, have I missed that move.
“Now.” He bites down on my ear. “Kiss me.”
His lips are on me, and I can’t deny him when he’s like this. “You’re so bossy,” I mumble around his sexy smirk.
“Nothing new to you.” His tongue delves in just as his phone dings, and we both know it’s time.
“Bye, baby.” He brushes his thumb against the apple of my cheek, catching my eyes once more, wordlessly looking as if he’s trying to tell me something I’ve yet to solve.
Doesn’t he know I freaking suck at puzzles?
“Stop wiggling.” I laugh.
Claud shakes her head. “I’m too excited. What do you think the surprise is?” She whispers.
She’s different here, more reserved.
I’m unsure if it’s because of ballet or if she’s always shy in front of the other kids, but she’s holding back, even with her dancing.
“I have no clue. When I was your age, I never got any surprises at dance school.”
She leans back, resting her head on my shoulder. I’m sitting criss cross on the floor of her ballet studio with the other adults. Claud decided to sit in my lap instead of with the children.
I snap a selfie of us and send it to Harrison. He hasn’t missed a beat of our day with the number of pictures I’ve sent.
